World Health Organisation is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

The Constitution of the WHO was adopted by representatives of 61 states in 1946. Greece was amongst the first signatories and became full member on 12 March 1948. The Organisation came into force on 7 April 1948, a date we now yearly celebrate as World Health Day. Presently, 194 states are members of the WHO.

Greece has served in the Executive Board of the WHO three times (1951-54, 1976-79, 1991-94). As a key partner of the WHO Euro Region, Greece pays particular attention to (a) fostering of health security and development(b) improving the capability and the effectiveness of health systems in order to address public health threats and(c) coordinating efforts to combat public health threats such as avian influenza, HIV/AIDS and Non Communicable Diseases.

In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defence against transnational threats. WHO’s reform is focusing on better addressing the increasingly complex challenges of the health of populations.